Changing MicroStation Elements Attributes

One thing that frustrate AutoCAD users who are migrating to MicroStation is finding similar tool in MicroStation. I believe the MicroStation users who are migrating to AutoCAD will have the same problem as well.

I have posted how you can find the similar tool in MicroStation. However, finding the tool doesn’t mean you can use it like in AutoCAD. Many tools work differently. One question I have in common is ‘what is similar to AutoCAD MATCHPROP’? If you have tried the DWG key-in, then you will find SmartMatch is the equal tool. Then why the attributes are not changing?

We don’t use SmartMatch to change object attributes, but using change element attributes.

Before we discuss about match attributes and change attributes in details, let us see how to change the attributes, matching to existing object quickly.

Hip Tip: Match and Change Attributes Quickly

Activate the change element attributes, and see the tool settings. You can click the match element attributes and pick an object to obtain the attributes value.

You can activate use active attributes to also change the active attributes to match the selected object attributes. If you don’t want to affect the active attributes, the leave it unchecked.

Now you can activate any properties you want to change. You can also use fence for changing multiple objects attributes, and you can also create a duplicate without changing the original object attributes.

But this tool is only for changing the attributes. You don’t change the text style, dimension style, hatch/pattern, etc. You need to use different tool for that.

Matching Element Attributes to Active Attributes

Match properties in AutoCAD works differently with match attributes in AutoCAD. There are several MicroStation tools to match (and change) elements attributes:

1. Match Element Attributes
2. SmartMatch
3. Match Curve Settings
4. Match Surface Settings
5. Match Dimension Attributes
6. Match Multi-line Elements
7. Match Projections
8. Match Pattern Elements
9. Match Text Attributes

So many of them? Yes, they are. But don’t be intimidated. I believe you will only use several of them frequently, but at least now you know there are tools for those purposes.

Those tools are only to change the active attributes or styles, to match the attributes of the object you selected.

The idea is to allow you to create new objects with the same attributes with existing element.

To change other objects attributes, you need to use change element attributes. Well, and the other tools like change dimension and change text attributes.

Let us try it. Activate match element attributes. You will see the tool settings like this. Activate the attributes you want to match.

Now pick any object from your drawing. You should see the attributes updated. See that the active attributes are also updated.

Try to use other match tools.

Changing Other Element Attributes

We already discuss how you can change element’s attributes. But as I mentioned before, you may need to use other change tools to change text attributes, dimension attributes, etc.

It is basically the same with change text attributes.

See that you can change dimension style with change dimension tool.

Try different tools for changing the styles to see how they work. You know where to find those tools, don’t you? You can find change text attributes under text tools group, and change dimension under dimension tools group.

See how you can use change elements attributes on our YouTube channel.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Technical Consultant in Tech Data Advanced Solutions Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
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